Neil Goulding

Rotherham United boss Paul Warne is hoping to boost his central midfield options before the new Championship season starts next weekend.

The Millers’ gaffer has signed six players this summer and a central midfielder is the last priority.

Warne needed a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a right-back and a central midfielder.

Keeper Marek Rodak has returned for another loan stint, while Warne brought in right-back Zak Vyner on loan as well as adding centre back Clark Robertson on a permanent deal.

Warne would love Richie Towell to come back to the club after the Brighton and Hove Albion man played a huge role in the Millers’ promotion from league One last term. A loan deal with a view to adding the player permanently has been mooted, with Warne in constant contact with the Irishman and his parent club.

Warne said: “Hopefully by this time next week I have at least one centre mid through the door.

“We have a dearth of options in the middle of the park so I need one or two centre mids.

“That’s where all our efforts are going at the moment.

“Everything has to be right. It has to be the right person, the right player. They have to match the DNA of this club and be affordable for us.

“There are a lot of boxes to tick. There’s a list we’re going through constantly.

“People are keeping hold of players a lot longer this season than in previous seasons so I don’t think there’s been loads of movement.

“We still need that little bit of business - at least a midfielder and maybe something else too.”

Robertson and striker Kyle Vassell have both made the switch from League One Blackpool on three-year deals while free agent Billy Jones penned a two-year contract at the AESSEAL New York Stadium after being released by Sunderland.